Transformative learning spaces. The challenges, the opportunities and the unrealistic expectations of ‘transformative’ design. Futurelab Research Insights Day, April 2010.

1. “Transformative” learning spaces Carlo Perrotta Futurelab April 2010 Wednesday, April 28, 2010

2. The expectation is that the proposed changes should not be merely incremental or simply aspirational – they should be innovative and ambitious, and bring about rapid and accelerated change (PfS, 2007). Wednesday, April 28, 2010

3. These changes, many of which will be innovative, radical and a significant departure from present and historical practice are intended to bring about step changes in outcomes for children and young people (PfS, 2007). Wednesday, April 28, 2010

4. BSF funding will act as a catalyst to enable the changes to be effected and to lever improvement at a faster rate than would otherwise be the case (PfS, 2007). Wednesday, April 28, 2010

5. Transformation is... Fast Accelerated Radical Ambitious Not incremental Signs of over-promising and under-delivering? Beyond buildings: procuring BSF sustainably, November 2009 - Westminster Sustainable Business Forum Wednesday, April 28, 2010

6. BSF is being delivered... During 2008/09, 54 schools were opened under programme, compared with a total of 42 in the first four years of the initiative More than 200 schools a year are scheduled to open from 2011 onwards ... But is it really going to “transform” education? Wednesday, April 28, 2010

7. Rapid (and traumatic) educational transformation did happen before... Wednesday, April 28, 2010

8. Democratic change in an institutional, multi-faceted and highly contested domain... is SLOW! 1974 1944 1912 1992 2010 Wednesday, April 28, 2010

9. Is perhaps pupil involvement the route to transformation? “The relationship between people and their environment is complex, and therefore any outcomes from a change in setting are likely to be produced through an involved chain of events. It is the defining and understanding of these mediating chains that is key and must take account of issues relating to ownership, relevance, purpose and permanence”. (Woolner et al, cited in PWC, 2007, Technical Report- Appendix E - p19). Wednesday, April 28, 2010

10. Still little participation in capital programmes 58% have never heard of redesign programmes A further 25% have heard of them but know little else Only 6.5% know exactly what they are Of those who were aware of capital programmes, 60% have never not been involved in related activities Futurelab survey on pupil involvement in capital programmes - 2,967 respondents Wednesday, April 28, 2010

11. New methods are being adopted to involve children in research and development activities as partners UK is leading the way in this area There has been an underestimation of the sophistication and ability of young people to talk about design and wider educational issues PP can be tokenistic and restricted It does not take a systems approach to educational reform Pupil participation in school design (Woodcock et al, 2010 –forthcoming) Wednesday, April 28, 2010

12. Who talks about transformation anyway? Politicians: the tyranny of the electoral cycle “governments tend to overestimate what they can achieve in the short term (and therefore become frustrated and disappointed) and underestimate what they can achieve in the longer term (and therefore pay it too little attention)” Geoff Mulgan Consultants, who can help you deliver your transformation for a fee Wednesday, April 28, 2010

13. Back to BSF... Schools still need to state how they are going to “transform” And they are going to be accountable... Is this slightly unfair? What about curricula and assessment regimes? Wednesday, April 28, 2010

14. The market place of transformation “...the forces that conspire to bolster the status quo in the face of transformational intentions. (in such a scenario) We can expect incremental improvement at best”. Wednesday, April 28, 2010

15. Their solution? Wednesday, April 28, 2010

16. Let’s discuss... Are the historical conditions for “transformation” present in the UK? Can transformation, conceived as a rapid, radical change occurring in a short time frame, be achieved in the context of checks and balances of “normal” deliberative democracy? should we be talking instead of old-fashioned, slow CHANGE, perhaps even INCREMENTAL? Wednesday, April 28, 2010